Starbucks workers sue over company's new dress code and costs to employees Michelle Del Rey , USA TODAY September 19, 2025 at 11:26 PM 0 Starbucks employees in three states are suing or filing complaints against the coffee chain for implementing a new dress code and allegedly refusing to reimburse t...
- - Starbucks workers sue over company's new dress code and costs to employees
Michelle Del Rey , USA TODAY September 19, 2025 at 11:26 PM
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Starbucks employees in three states are suing or filing complaints against the coffee chain for implementing a new dress code and allegedly refusing to reimburse them for expenses that primarily benefit the employer.With the backing of the union organizing Starbucks' workers, three employees filed class-action lawsuits in Illinois and Colorado on Sept. 17. They also lodged complaints with California's Labor and Workforce Development Agency, saying a class-action lawsuit would be filed if the agency didn't seek penalties against Starbucks.
Multiple plaintiffs claim to have requested reimbursement from the Seattle-based retailer to conform to the new dress code, but were denied, based on court documents.
The coffee giant's new dress code, which went into effect in May, requires workers to wear a solid black shirt underneath their green apron. The shirts may have short or long sleeves, but cannot be sleeveless or reveal midriffs.
A Starbucks in Nichols Hills, Oklahoma is pictured, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024.Why are workers suing?
Workers in California, Colorado and Illinois are suing the company, claiming that the policy change violates state laws because it doesn't reimburse employees for expenses incurred from purchasing new uniform items.
California, Colorado, and Illinois state laws require Starbucks to reimburse baristas for expenses incurred to comply with the new dress code, attorneys representing the plaintiffs said in an emailed statement to USA TODAY.
The lawsuit alleges that workers who do not wear the required uniform receive a verbal warning from managers, the first step in the disciplinary process. Additionally, it claims that some other workers have been sent home before starting their shifts if they did not arrive at work wearing the correct clothing items.
What are workers saying?
Shay Mannik, a Starbucks shift supervisor who has worked at the company since 2022, said they had to spend their own money on clothes to follow Starbucks' new dress code policy, according to court documents.
Mannik was paid $19.95 an hour in April and May 2025, around the time the policy went into effect, the lawsuit states.
In September, Mannik was promoted to shift supervisor, making $24.13 an hour.
In a written statement provided to USA TODAY, Mannik said if they didn't spend money on the clothing, "I'd risk being sent home, written up or even fired."
Mannik purchased four solid black T-shirts for $26.22 on May 5, in addition to one pair of black, dress code-compliant shoes for $76.41 on May 22. In late April, Mannik also purchased a pair of second-hand jeans for $8.00.
The company never reimbursed them for their expenses, according to the lawsuit.
"It's unfair that a billion-dollar company puts this burden on workers already struggling with unpredictable hours and understaffed stores," said Mannik through attorneys. "That's why I'm standing up for myself and my coworkers so we can all be reimbursed and treated fairly."
What has Starbucks said?
In a statement provided to USA TODAY, Starbucks implemented the dress code to "deliver a more consistent coffeehouse experience to our customers and provide our partners with simpler and clearer dress code guidance," the statement notes. "As part of this change, and to ensure our partners were prepared, partners received two shirts at no cost."
Starbucks Workers United had previously stated that the policy was exacerbating an already prevalent understaffing crisis. The union represents workers at 640 stores nationwide.
Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter at USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected]
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Starbucks workers sue over new dress code and costs to employees
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